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Music and Theatre Productions in Australia - Market Research Report (2015-2030)

Mia Jeremic Mia Jeremic Melbourne, Australia Last Updated: December 2025 ANZSIC R9001

Revenue

$3.2bn

2025-26

$3.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

10,678

Businesses

2,371

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Music and Theatre Productions in Australia industry analysis

The Music and Theatre Productions industry has set the stage for a remarkable post-pandemic recovery, with revenue surging by an annualised 34.4% over the five years to 2025-26, including a 0.2% rise in the current year to reach $3.2 billion. This growth reflects a strong rebound in live performance attendance, driven by pent-up demand, rising ticket prices and renewed consumer confidence. High-profile tours have fuelled the resurgence, lifting industry profit margins despite lingering cost pressures linked to production and touring.

Trends and Insights

  • Contemporary music drives industry growth. Australians are flocking to live music events, boosting attendance and revenue. International tours and high-demand acts continue to energise the market, offsetting challenges in festivals and traditional theatre segments.
  • International acts and dynamic pricing models have significantly boosted contemporary music revenue. Major global tours and flexible ticket pricing have led to record-breaking attendance and income, with further growth expected as disposable incomes rise and top acts continue touring.
  • Tourism infrastructure strongly influences where live productions are staged, with Sydney and Melbourne benefiting from their status as tourism hotspots. These cities' transport links, venue capacity and visitor numbers secure their dominance, while regional areas struggle to attract large-scale productions.
  • Online streaming and filmed adaptations heighten substitution pressure, making audience retention a challenge. Online access and lower prices offered by streaming platforms and cinemas force traditional producers to innovate or risk losing attendance.
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 34.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.2bn in 2025.

Trends and Insights

The surging demand for contemporary music shows no signs of slowing down

  • Australians are flocking back to live concerts, driving record attendance across contemporary music events. This has been the single most significant contributor to the industry’s post-pandemic rebound and the sharp rise in revenue over the past five years.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Music and Theatre Productions in Australia
Revenue (2015-2030)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Younger audiences will use social media to engage with music and theatre productions

  • Younger Australians will increasingly discover entertainment through digital and social media platforms.

Biggest companies in the Music and Theatre Productions in Australia

Company
Market Share (%)
2026
Revenue ($m)
2026
Opera Australia
109.4
The Australian Ballet
61.9
Untitled Group
50.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Music and Theatre Productions in Australia
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Contemporary music, Musical theatre and Festivals. Contemporary music is the largest segment of the Music and Theatre Productions in Australia.

Trends and Insights

International acts and dynamic pricing models have propelled contemporary music’s revenue

  • The contemporary music segment includes a variety of ensemble and solo musicians performing a range of genres, such as pop, jazz, blues, country and hip-hop. Major tours by international artists have played a decisive role in boosting revenue within this segment.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Industry companies produce live theatrical, musical, and dance performances including choirs, opera, ballet and tribute shows.

What's included in this industry?

Products and services covered in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia include Contemporary Music, Festivals, Musical Theatre, Classical Music, Theatre and Other Performances.

Companies

Companies covered in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia include Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet and Untitled Group.

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

Related terms covered in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia include traditional performing arts and drama.

Industry Code

ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 9001 - Music and Theatre Productions in Australia

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Contemporary music drives industry growth. Australians are flocking to live music events, boosting attendance and revenue. International tours and high-demand acts continue t...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

International acts and dynamic pricing models have significantly boosted contemporary music revenue. Major global tours and flexible ticket pricing have led to record-breakin...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2025
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2025
  • Major market segmentation in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Tourism infrastructure strongly influences where live productions are staged, with Sydney and Melbourne benefiting from their status as tourism hotspots. These cities' transp...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Online streaming and filmed adaptations heighten substitution pressure, making audience retention a challenge. Online access and lower prices offered by streaming platforms a...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

No single company currently controls more than 5% of total industry revenue. Although Opera Australia was previously a dominant player, its revenue growth hasn’t kept pace wi...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
  • Overview of Opera Australia's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of The Australian Ballet's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of Untitled Group's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Opera Australia, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for The Australian Ballet, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Untitled Group, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Corporate sponsorship and philanthropic donations play a significant role in sustaining performing arts companies. Business confidence and charitable giving, particularly in ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Strong ticket sales and rising prices have underpinned increased industry profitability. Profit margins are especially robust in contemporary music, where dynamic pricing cap...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia in 2025?

The market size of the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia is $3.2bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia in 2025?

There are 2,371 businesses in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.2 % between 2020 and 2025.

How may import tariffs affect the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia?

The Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

How may export tariffs affect the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia?

The Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

Has the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 34.4 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia?

The biggest companies operating in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia are Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet and Untitled Group

What does the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia include?

Contemporary Music and Festivals are part of the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia?

The company holding the most market share in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia is Opera Australia.

How competitive is the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Music and Theatre Productions industry in Australia.

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Australia include:

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Australian Securities & Investments Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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